According to Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Āpa(Apa) is a rākṣasa (rakshasa; a type of monster). He lives in the chariot of Surya (the Sun-god) for the two months, Āśvina(Aswina) and Kārtika (Kartika).

In Matsyapurāṇa(Matsyapurana) it is said that the eight sons born of the womb of Sudevī (Sudevi), sired by Dharma, are called Āṣṭavasu(Astavasu; the eight Vasus). Āpa (Apa) is one of them.

Āpādavaddha (Apadavaddha) is the son of Śatakarṇī (Satakarni) of the Andhra dynasty. He ruled for twenty four years.

Āpagā (Apaga) is a river; and there is a pilgrimage site named after this river. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is said that the river is located about one krośa (krosa, about two miles) away towards the east of Mānuṣatīrtha (Manushatirtha, the pilgrimage site called Manusha). It is hailed as a site of great virtue. It […]

Apāgneya (Apagneya) is a sage. The vaṃśa (vamsa) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great sage) Apāgneya (Apagneya) is one of the ṛṣivaṃśa(s) (rishivamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise order of sages) belonging to the pravara or gotra of Maharṣi Aṅgirā (Angira).

Apahāriṇī (Apaharini) is a Brahmarākṣasī (Brahmarakshasi, a she demon of the Brahmana order) born of the womb of Piśācī (Pisachi; a female Pisacha) Brahmadhanā (Brahmadhana).  

Apaḥpāna (Apahpana) is the name of one kind of Naraka (hell). If Brāhmaṇa(s) (Brahmanas),  Kṣatriya(s) (Kshatriya)or  Vaiśya(s)(Vaisya) or their wives consume Surā (Sura), by mistake, while drinking Soma during a yajña, they end up in this kind of Naraka.

One of the gaṇa (gana; genus) of the rākṣasas (rakshasa; a type of monsters). It is said in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), that these rākṣasas are of a very cruel nature, and they are harmful for the little boys of the Martya (the earthly world).

According to Brahmāṇdapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Sātakarṇī (Satakarni) is the son of King Kṛṣṇa (Krishna), belonging to the Āndhravaṁśa (Andhravamsa, the Andhra dynasty). Sātakarṇī’s son is Āpalava (Apalava), who ruled for twelve years.

Apāṁnidhi (Apamnidhi) is one of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama; Thousand Names) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu).

In Anuśāsanaparva (Anusasanaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) Apāṃprapatana(Apamprapatana) is the name of a tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage). There had been a waterfall in this site, and so its name is Apāṃprapatana. It is said that having a bath in this waterfall, one may obtain the fruits of great virtue.

In the twelfth Manvantara, when Rudrasāvarṇi (Rudrasavarni) or Ṛtasāvarṇi (Ritasavarni) would be Manu, ruler of the Manvantara, gods would be divided into several gaṇa(s) (genus), and Harita will be one major gaṇa among them. Apāṁśu (Apamsu) was one of the gods belonging to this Harita gaṇa. However, in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Apa and Aṃśu (Amsu) have been […]

This corporeal body is made of Pañcabhūta(s) (Panchabhuta; Five great elements). In the context of the functioning of Teja (fire) and Marut (wind) inside the body, comes the mention of Apāna vāyu (Apana vayu; the wind called Apana). There are five kinds of wind in the body – Prāṇa (Prana), Apāna (Apana), Udāna (Udana), Vyāna (Vyana), […]

Apāna (Apana) was one of the gods who belonged to the Sādhya gaṇa (Sadhyagana; the genus called Sadhya) or Ajita gaṇa in Svāyambhuva (Swayambhuva) Manvantara.

According to Brāhmāṇdapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Āpanāpa(Apanapa) was one of the disciples of Vāṣkali (Vaskali).

Apāṇḍu (Apandu) is a sage. The vaṃśa (vamsa) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great sage) Apāṇḍu (Apagneya) is one of the ṛṣivaṃśa(s)(genealogical or disciple-wise order of sages) belonging to the pravara or gotra (clan) of Maharṣi Aṅgirā (Angira).

Apaprāvaraṇa (Apapravarana) is a hill-based locality or the community living in that region, mentioned in Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana). In Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana)., this is referred to as Kuthaprāvaraṇa (Kuthapravarana). In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), its name is Kuśaprāvaraṇa (Kusapravarana).

Apara is a name of Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva-Mahadeva). ‘Para’ means ‘other’, it also means the best or the greatest. In Upaniṣad (Upanishad), while describing the nature of Parameśvara (Parameswara; the Supreme Self), it is said that there is nothing better than Him, nothing greater than Him, or nothing more subtle than Him. The entire universe is pervaded […]

Aparadvārakā (Aparadwaraka) is the goddess who protects the eastern gate of the city of Dvārakā. This goddess lives in Mahīsāgara-saṅgamatīrtha (Mahisagara-sangamatirtha)along with her 24000 crores of family(associate-goddesses). Devarṣi (Devarshi) Nārada (Narada)was able to bring this goddess to Dvārakā, by performing a long tapasyā (tapasya; hard ascetic practices). On the navamī (navami) tithi of the month […]

Aparājita(Aparajita) is a Nāga (Naga; Snake)born of the womb of Kadrū (Kadru), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati). In Āstīka(Astika) parva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), while describing the names of serpents, this name has also been mentioned. Again, while describing the city of Bhogavatī (Bhogavati) in Pātāla (Patala, the underworld), the […]

Aparājita(Aparajita) is a king born as a partial incarnation of a Kālakeya (Kalakeya) demon. He was contemporary of Yudhiṣṭhira(Yudhishthira) and Duryodhana. The Pāṇḍava(s) invited him to join their force during the battle of Kurukṣetra.

Aparājitā (Aparajita) is one of the Navapīṭhaśakti (Navapithasakti) of the Goddess. She constantly serves Goddess Bhuveneśvarī (Bhuvaneswari). However, in other Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scripture), Aparājitā is another name of Durgā-Bhavānī (Durga-Bhavani). In Devīpurāṇa(Devipurana) itself it is said that if one undetakes Durgavrata for one yar, one needs to pray for good favour in front of […]

Aparājita(Aparajita) is one of the four Dikhastī(s) (Mythical great elephants protecting the four directions) , as mentioned in Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana).

Aparājita (Aparajita) is one of the sons born of the womb of Mādrī (Madri), and sired by Kṛṣṇa (Krishna).  

Aparājita(Aparajita) is the name of the horse of goddess Lalitā (Lalita).

Aparakāśi (Aparakasi) is the name of one ancient locality in Bhāratavarṣa (Bharatavarsha; India). It is probably located towards the west of the major portion of Kāśī (Kasi). Here we have seen the name of ‘Kāsī’ appearing as Kāśi. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), the plural number of this name is used as ‘Kāśayaḥ’ (Kasayah), ‘Aparakāśayaḥ’ (Aparakasayah). If […]

Aparakunti is the name of an ancient locality in India.

Aparakuṭṭa (Aparakutta) is a locality mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana).

Aparamleccha is a locality in North India, as mentioned in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). The people of this land are described as very cruel in nature — uttarāścāparamlecchāḥ (uttarāścāpare mlecchāḥ) krūrā bharatasattama.  

Aparanandā (Aparananda) was a river. Arjuna noticed this river during his 12 years of exile. While going towards Naimiṣāraṇya (Naimisharanya), he saw two rivers, with many lotus-flowers in full bloom — nadīñcotpalinīṃ ramyāṃ — one of them was called Nandā (Nanda), and the other, Aparanandā (Aparananda). King Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthira) also visited this river. In Anuśāsanaparva […]

Aparānta (Aparanta) is an ancient locality. When Paraśurāma destroyed the Kṣatriya(s) (Kshatriya)for twenty one times, and freed the earth of the Kṣatriya clan, Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Kaśyapa(kasyapa) asked him to stop. He also told him, ‘You should not live here, rather go to the place across the southern sea. Thus instructed, Paraśurāma came there […]

Aparapallava (Aparavallava) is a locality in India, as mentioned in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Situated towards the west of Pallavarāṣṭra (Pallavarashtra), it appears to be a land inhabited by different communities belonging to one race.

In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), the North Malwa regions, towards the North of Avantī (Avanti), and the south of the river Carmaṇvatī (Charmanwati). Scholars have determined that Aparaseka was situated to the north of this area. Prior to the Rājasūya Yajña (Rajasuya Yajna), Sahadeva conquered this place.  

For the saints, monks and hermits, the act of renouncing everything, and for the householders, the act of renouncing things belonging to others, is called Aparigraha. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Aparigraha is conceptualised as the manifestation of Brahman, or the Supreme Self — aśavdaṃ aparigraham. Parigraha means to accept things or mpney from people. Aparigraha is […]

After Madanabhasma (the burning of Madana), Mahādeva (Mahadeva) disappeared and Pārvatī (Parvati; daughter of Parvata; that is the mountain Himalaya) Umā(Uma) started tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic practice) for him. She made an altar at the very place where Rudra-Śiva burned Madana, and started her tapasyā, sitting there. During this hard ascetic practice, she lived only on […]

The term ‘savya‘ means the left side. Apasavya is side which is not the left, that is, the right side. In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), apasavya has been used in this sense, while describing Prahasta’s venture to battle. While Prahasta was going to fight, the Rākṣasa(s) (Rakshasa; one kind of demons) were loudly shouting, and the vultures, […]

In Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), after the slaying of Putanā (Putana), mother Yośomatī (Yasomati)uttered rakṣāmantra (rakshamantra; protective hymns) as a benediction for her child, considering Putanā as an evil spirit. She also uttered hymns for the exorcism of ghosts and Piśāca(s)(Pisacha; a kind of deadbody-eating ghostly being). Among these evil deities, the order of evil deities called […]

Āpastamva(Apastamva) is a mantradraṣṭā ṛṣi (mantradrashta rishi; seer of the sacred hymns). In the Dvāpara(Dwapara) age, there is a decline of the intellect of the human beings. Then, the people detach themselves from Śiva, and get addicted to avarice, they become impatient. Gradually varṇasaṁkara (varnasamkara; caste-hybridity) increases and the varṇadharmāśrama (the codes of the varna […]

A sacred pilgrimage-site located on the bank of the river Gautamī Gangā (Gautami Ganga) or Godavarī (Godavari). Āpastamva (Apastamva) was a wise and great ṛṣi (rishi;sage), and this sacred site has been named after his name.

Āpastamvi (Apastamvi) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsas; hereditary or disciple-wise cults of the sages), belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; great sage) Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). From the name of Bhṛgu, they are also known as Bhārgava(Bhargava).

Āpastamvi (Apastamvi) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsas; hereditary or disciple-wise cults of the sages), belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharsi; great sage) Aṇgirā (Angira). According to the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Aṇgirā, they are also known as Āṇgirasa (Angirasa).

Āpasthūṇa (Apasthuna)is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsas; hereditary or disciple-wise cults of the sages), belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharsi; great sage) Vaśiṣṭha(Vasishtha)). According to the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Aṇgirā, they are also known as Vāśiṣṭhī (Vasishthi).

Apāsya is a ṛṣi (rishi; sage).  

Apasyanta is one of the sons born of the womb of Sunṛtā (Sunrita), and sired by Uttānapāda (Uttanapada).

Apasyati is the eldest among the four sons born of the womb of Sunṛtā (Sunrita), and sired by Uttānapāda (Uttanapada), son of Svāyambhuva (Swayambhuva) Manu. According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), he was the elder brother of Dhruva.  

Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Apasyauṣa (Apasyausha) is one of the mantradraṣṭā (mantradrasta; seer of sacred hymns) sages belonging to the the vaṃśa (vamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise order of sages) of Maharṣi Aṅgirā (Angira).

Apatha is a hill-based locality mentioned in Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana).

A flourishing city is situated on Hemakakṣa (Hemakaksha) Parvata (mountain). This city is the dwelling place of a valiant community of Gandharva(s) (an order of demi-gods) called Apattana. The Gandharva-king Kapinja was the ruler of this community.

Āpava(Apava)  was a sage. For ten thousand years, he remained steadfast in his tapasyā (tapasya; a practice of ascetic penance) inside water. Kārtavīryārjuna (Kartaviryarjuna) destroyed his abode of penance. As a result, he got cursed. Once Āditya (Aditya) came to Kārtavīrya (Kartavirya) and asked him to make him satisfied. Kārtavīrya sought to treat him with […]

Another name of Maharṣi (Maharshi; great sage) Vaśiṣṭha.  [See Vaśiṣṭha]